Rezurok:FTFA:The first answer: Use it to replace sand for industrial blasting. The cob's woody ring is a biodegradable product that is as hard as diamonds, but unlike sand, soft enough to avoid pitting.

So it's as hard as diamonds, but softer than sand? Got it, time to stop reading.

Um yea, so since the topic has been broached, how exactly did that whole deal work? Were they use once and dispose or more of a rinse and repeat type of deal? Did every member of the family have a designated stash of cobs or was it a free for all? Did mom admonish you if you busted into the fancy cobs as those were being saved for company? HOW in the hell did the whole cob thing work???